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occupation by scott paul

3/4/2023

3 Comments

 
Picture
Uninvited the raucous crowd gathers,
Pouring in to deafening clarions
Diesel filling the air, fireworks the night
And they stay, they occupy,
Growing ever bolder in their crusade.

Evil whispers along Wellington,
Anarchy dances on hallowed ground
A bronzed Terry sheds a tear
For an upended flag turned red with anger.
False sirens of freedom,
While a digital universe cheers them on.

Democracy tested, delayed and finally,
A dark shadow confronted
Cloaked in hijacked words and scripture.
Men with black helmets, zip ties and truncheons
Moving the line as wind blows, snow falls.
Play by play from strolling parka-clad reporters
Until, like some Allied liberation,
The downtown is cleared.
​
Leaving a national wound, soon a scar, and
Seared images of hot tubs and burn barrels,
Jailers and horses, kids and pig roasts.
And in the chambers of the Nation,
Political points are scored and tallied,
While Justice grabs a mop and pail.
3 Comments
Suzn Morgan
4/4/2023 08:58:12 am

Wonderful Scott! absolutely wonderful!

Reply
Allison Brigden
4/4/2023 01:52:49 pm

Stunning, Scott. Such depth of story in just four stanzas. And what a lasting image to end on. Thank you for sharing this remarkable poem.

Reply
Laura Cohen
9/4/2023 06:50:57 am

Scott, this poem is powerful. The imagery of the occupation is so vivid. The layers of complexity threaded throughout this piece through language, images and symbols told the story of what it felt like to be in Ottawa.

Reply



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460, 1721, 29th Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2T 6T7


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  • Home
    • About >
      • The History
      • The Mission
      • The Team
      • The Board of Directors
      • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
      • Our Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Membership
    • Member Showcase >
      • A Poem a Day
      • Two Truths and a Lie
  • Services
    • Current Courses and Workshops >
      • Chapter by Chapter
    • J Michael Fay Subsidy Program
    • ABLit Book Club
    • Annual Writers Retreat
    • Author Development Program
    • Books, Gifts and More...
    • Get Lit Writer Series
    • Manuscript Review Service
    • Many Voices Monthly Writing Contest
    • Writer in Residence Program
    • Writes of Summer - 2023 Short Story Challenge
  • Events
    • People's Poetry Festival 2023